Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-05
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Report in the Investigation Of the
Complaint Against the Collector
Of the Port of Chicago,
Two Of Tie Commissioners Think The
Reasons for Removals Should in
All Eases be Made Public.
The Third Commissioner Deems it is Suni.
cientt is state that Remove Is Not
for Political ReaB0ns.
DOCTORS DI,lnREE.

DOCTORS DISAGREE.
WASHINGTON, Sept. The civil sew
ice commission nss submitted to the
President the report OF it's investigation
il April last of the complaint made by G.
A. Webster against Anthony F. See5erger,
collector Of the port Of Chicsgo, and
transmitted to the President by the Civil
Service Reform League of Chicsco. and
by him referred to the commission. charg-
ing violations of the civil service law.
The report consists of the opinion of the
commission, which is signed by Commits
sioner5 Oberly and Lyman; report 10
the commission by Commissioner Ed
ge1ton, and another by Commits
sioner Lyman, who cor tues himself
TO the testimony submitted at the invas-
ugatlon. The opinion of the commits
sion, as submitted to the President, says
the complaint Of Mr.. Webster is in sub
stance that he was compelled to resign a
place in the appraisers otlice OF the chi
ergo customs district; that this compuI-
sion was exercised upon him not because
ne was inefficient, undutiful, insub0rdi-
nate CT dishonest, or for any other good
reason, Dut because he was
REPUBLICAN
and the collector desired to put Demo-
crat in the place occupied by him In
his letter Of complaint Mr. Webster SAYS
after receiving notice that his res'gna-
ton was demanded he called upon the
collector and was informed that no com
plant had been made against his official
conduct, which was excellent, but owing
TO great pressure there was necessity
that vacancies should be made and that
the collector in his interview said ::
Gu must remember our party has been
cut of power for twenty-five wears snd
you Should be thankful for having been
allowed TO stay two years under Demo-
cratic administration"
Mr.. Wooster, the opinion continues, was
compelled to resign. The collector said
inst his request for Webster's resignation
had been made for reasons amply stron Q
and that he had acted in conformity with
the civil service law
AS HE UNDERSTANDS IT.
In his testimony before the commission
Mr.. Seeoerger denied saying anvthiug to
Mr.WeDSter that could be construed into 8
declaration that the request for his resig-
nation was prompted by political reasons.
Inc opinion observes that while Mr.. See
berger states imphatlcally that he did not
say to Mr. Webster that his resignation
had been demanded for political reasons.
ne did not inform MIN that such
were not his reasons. In this connection
attention is called to Inc fact tina Mr..
WEBSTER vas not, go far ss the evidence
shows, given the beneti. CT the law which
bo ct
ments in making q reduction of force TO
retain those persons who may be equally
qualified VINO have been honorably dis
soldiers or sailors. Mr.. Web
ster says the Opin ion, is an honorablv
WOUNDED SOLDIER.
He passed the civil service customs ex-
animation with average OF 10 ) per
cent, and his conduct and capacity being
satisfactory during his probationary term
he was absolutely appointed He was
afterWard promoted for his faithful and
efficient service. His competency Col
lector Seeberger does not deny. That
Webster was an offensive partisan is not
SHOWN by the testimony. In the affidavit
made Dy him he sWesrs that he was
never politician, had never attended
caucus or convention IS delegate, snd
but oGce as q spectator. He adds: az
have, however, strong, honest political
views, which have always held in quiet
and gentlemanly way, keeping always in
view the rights of others who might differ
with me-"
Strong political views, says the opin-
ion, Mr.. Webster had right TO entertain,
and during the time he held
\ PUBLIC PLACE
It was his right to give at times strong
expression to those views. The opinion
IS not to be tolerated that because q man
occupies place in the classified civil
service he must therefore surrender his
right to take an interest in the politics OF
the country. No good citizen will do so
and no degree OF activity in
the effort to advance the interest
0f the party opposed to the administration
should, provided his partisan activity in
20 way lnterfereS with his public duties,
render insecure in the service of the
government the position Of any persons
who do not occupy s place, the discharge
0t the duties OF which affects public
politics. The opinion suggests that il
the rule which obtains in the Treasury
Department requiring reason to he given /
Tor every dismissal or
FORCED RESIGNATION,
were observed in all the branches of the
executive civil service, there would be no |
at arriving at speedy conclus
obs upon complaints of the kind under |
consideration, but while the appointing
officers have the right to retain within .
heir own minds the reasons for removals. |
hey may abuse their power with |
shameful impunity, and in abuses
If this kind remain unchal- |
enged. The opinion criticicises
What 1t terms Commissioner Edgerton,s
.vident attempt to justify Collector
'eeberger in his refusal to permit the
he reasons he had for demanding the
esignation TO escape from his own mind
md the position taken by the commits
ZION that rule requiring the reasons
or such removals would result in the
estriction Of the power of removal is
pronounced untenable. The practice as
NOW IN VOGUE
q inc Treasury Department and in the
;hlcago posto flee is cited in support of